Equipment for laying mines continuously on the move

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to equipment for mounting on a special vehicle to form therewith a mine-laying device for the continuous laying of mines at high speed during movement of the vehicle with optimum concealment. A mine-laying carriage is held stationary with respect to the ground by displacement on the vehicle at a speed equal and opposite to the speed of advance thereof, the carriage mounting a tool in the form of a curved casing constituting a means for introducing the mines into the ground, which is pivoted about a horizontal axis of the carriage, a pusher of the same curvature also pivoted about this axis, and means for effecting the working stroke and return of the tool and for maintaining each mine in its buried position on withdrawal of the tool.

States Patent Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee PriorityEQUIPMENT FOR LAYING MINES CONTINUOUSLY ON THE MOVE 7 Claims, 8 DrawingFigs.

U.S. Cl 89/1 A, 89/36 H, 102/8 Int. Cl F4" 7/00 Field of Search 89/1, 36H;

102/]. 8; Ill/89, 99

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 426,043 4/1890 Murphey et all l 1/89 2,789,522 4/l957 Barton l 1 1/89 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,076,4307/1967 Great Britain 89/1 A Primary Examiner-Samuel W. EngleAr!0rneysRobert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato ABSTRACT: The inventionrelates to equipment for mounting on a special vehicle to form therewitha mine-laying device for the continuous laying of mines at high speedduring movement of the vehicle with optimum concealment. A mine-layingcarriage is held stationary with respect to the ground by displacementon the vehicle at a speed equal and opposite to the speed of advancethereof, the carriage mounting a tool in the form of a curved casingconstituting a means for introducing the mines into the ground, which ispivoted about a horizontal axis of the carriage, a pusher of the samecurvature also pivoted about this axis, and means for effecting theworking stroke and return of the tool and for maintaining each mine inits buried position on withdrawal of the tooL Patented Dec. 14, 19713,626,804

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 3,626,804

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet S wow a PatentedDec. 14, 1971 3,626,804

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 3,626,804

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Dec.14, 1971 3,626,804

7 Sheets-Sheet '7 EQUIPMENT FOR LAYING MINES CONTINUOUSLY ON THE MOVESUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to mine-laying apparatusand in particular to mine-laying apparatus which can be mounted on aspecial vehicle to constitute equipment for laying mines at high speed,continuously, and on the move, with optimum concealment.

The principal objects of the invention are as follows:

I. To efiect the introduction of each mine into the ground mechanically.

2. To hide the presence of the mines as near perfectly as possiblewithout a subsequent operation.

3. To efi'ect these operations continuously at high speed on the move,that is without stopping the mine-laying vehicle.

The mine is introduced into the earth tangentially, without disturbingthe ground and the surface layer is maintained in place to ensureconcealment.

For the period of the mine-laying operation, the mine-laying apparatusis relatively stationary with respect to the ground and is moved withrespect to the vehicle at a velocity opposite to that with which thevehicle advances, so as to be relatively stationary with respect to theground because of the opposite movement.

The equipment comprises two essential parts:

A mobile carriage comprising the mine-laying apparatus proper; and

A rocking beam pivoted on the vehicle and comprising two parallel rails,on which the carriage moves, essentially horizontal and able to betilted so as to regulate the orientation vertically.

The movable carriage can be constructed in any suitable way for exampleof two cross-braced plates, and carriers rollers permitting movement ona roller track which is preferably mounted on the longitudinal axis ofthe supporting vehicle.

On the carriage are assembled the elements necessary for laying themines. It mounts a support for a casing of curved section carried byarms oscillating about a horizontal axis of the carriage; the crosssection of the interior of the casing permits the passage in a flatposition of the mine, which is ad mitted through a feeding flap pivotedon the casing and delivered by a pivoted ejection flap forming itsbevelled lower extremity.

This mine is pushed down the curved passage of the casing by a pusherhaving the same curvature as the casing, and carried by an oscillatingarm which is joumaled about the same axis. The arm is provided with anabutment face for a driving roller and carries a scraping tool.

A sector-shaped lever is pivoted on a horizontal axis parallel to thepreviously mentioned axis on the carriage. This lever is moved by adouble-acting hydraulic ram, and controls the casing by an intermediateset of crank arms, and the arm of the pusher by a roller mounted at itsend.

The carriage is connected to at least one sensing wheel movable in andout of operation by a double-acting hydraulic cylinder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING By way of example only, a vehicle andapparatus for mine laying embodying the invention are described belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective schematic views of the vehicle andmine-laying apparatus respectively before and during operation;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the apparatus in the rest position;and

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views of the apparatus similar to that ofFIG. 3 showing it in successive positions assumed during a cycle ofoperations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A movable carriage 1, comprisingfor example two crossbraced sideplates 30 and 31, carries all theapparatus necessary to mine laying at a stationary position and can thusbe used alone by stopping the supporting vehicle. It is here furnishedwith four rollers 2 by which it can travel on rails. It comprises thefollowing elements:

A principal tool 3 constituted by a casing of the shape of a section ofan arc of a circle, movable around a horizontal axle 4 passing throughthe center of this circle. and of which the interior cross sectionpermits the passage of a mine to a flat position.

The casing has on its external surface an inlet or feeding flap orshutter 5 pivoted about an axis 28, and at its bevelled or chamferedlower end 32 an ejection flap 6 likewise pivoted about an axle 29. Theupper end of the casing 3 is connected to the end of an arm 7 which canoscillate about the axle 4.

A pusher 8 of the same curvature as the casing is arranged for movementin the interior thereof and mounts at its lower end an arrangement 9 forarming the mine 26. The upper end of the pusher is connected with theend of an arm 10 which is likewise pivoted about the axle 4 and whichcomprises an abutment face 11. A scraper 12 is fixed to the arm 10.

A generally sector-shaped lever 13 can oscillate about a horizontal axle14 on the casing parallel to the axle 4 being driven by a double-actinghydraulic ram 15. The lever is connected to the arm 7 indirectly bymeans of two crank arms 16 and carries at its end a flexible roller 17for engagement with the abutment face 11 of the arm 10 of the pusher 8.

A sensing wheel I8 mounted at the end of a swinging arm 19 is controlledby a small hydraulic cylinder or jack 20.

The carriage I, by means of its rollers 2, moves between two rails whichtogether constitute a beam 21 pivotable about a horizontal axis fixedwith respect to the vehicle, this movement being controlled by theaction on its free end 27 of a stabilizing cylinder 23', this cylinder23 is fed by means of a servovalve 24 (FIG. 4) controlled by an electriccurrent varied by the oil pressure in the cylinder 20 controlling thesensing wheel 18 of the carriage I.

This beam is mounted for example along the longitudinal axis of thesupport vehicle 33 between the housings 34 and the caterpillar tracks 35(FIGS. I and 2).

The feeding of the mines is efi'ected through a fixed channel 25 issuingfrom a distribution arrangement for the mines.

The operation of the apparatus is illustrated in the sequence of theFIGS. 3-8 of the accompanying drawings.

a. FIG. 3. Position during transit The beam 21 is held level by thecylinder 23 (assisted if required by a mechanical lock device notshown), the correction system for vertical positioning being out ofcircuit. The carriage l is in the forward position, the sensing wheel I8is raised by the cylinder 20, and the flap 5 has not received a mine.

b. FIG. 4. Beginning the minelaying cycle.

The position is the same as the position during transit except that thesensing wheel I8 has been lowered into contact with the ground by thecylinder 20 and the vertical orientation correcting system is in action;its function is described in paragraph (g).

The piston of the hydraulic cylinder 15 is in the withdrawn position,the tool 3 and the pusher 8 are maintained in the raised position by thelever 13 through the crank arm I6 and the roller I7. A mine 26 is fed onto the flap 5 from the supply channel 25.

c. FIG. 5.

The carriage l is in effect stationary with respect to the groundbecause of the backward movement on the beam 21 of the moving vehicle inthe direction of the arrow F. The cylinder 51 is energized and causesthe lever 13 to tilt thereby driving the arm 7 of the tool 3 by means ofthe crank anns I6. the function of which is to ensure, by a suitablekinetic arrangement, a progressive moving off of the tool assembly (andits progressive return to its upper position at the end of the cycle).

By the operation of this kinetic arrangement, the roller 17 is notcarried by the abutment face 11 and the pusher descends jointly with thetool.

The end 32 of the tool 3 engages the ground, the flap 6 being heldclosed by the thrust or pressure of the earth. In the positioncorresponding to that of FIG. 5, the thrust of the earth ensures theclosure of the flap effecting a pivoting of the mine into the casingjust before the end 9 of the pusher 8. d. FIG. 6. Lower position Thepiston of the hydraulic cylinder is at the end of its movement and anautomatic arrangement (not shown) ensures the commencement of a reversemovement without any delay interval.

The mine is then in its final horizontal position, the pusher 8 lockingitself in its lowest position so as to prevent return movement of themine.

e. FIG. 7. Ejection of the mine Energized no wover its smaller section,the hydraulic cylinder 15 withdraws the lever 13 which returns the toolby means of the crank arms 16, the roller 17 having not yet made contactwith the abutment face 11. The pusher 8 remains locked in its lowerposition thereby holding the mine in place; the flap 6 consequentlyopens and slides over the body of the mine while the mechanism 9 ensuresthat the mine is armed.

During the withdrawal of the tool 3, the flap 5 remains closed due tothe presence of the earth on its upper part which has the form ofa skid.

While the pusher 8 remains locked, the scraper l2 likewise remains fixedand prevents the surface layer of the earth being carried up by thecasing 3.

At the moment when the roller 17 makes contact with the abutment face 1l, the pusher 8 becomes unlocked and returns at high speed into the toolunder the thrust of the roller 17.

f. FIG. 8.

The carriage l finally reaches the rear end of its path, the tool 3 andpusher 8 returning to their initial positions. The whole assembly thenreturns to the initial position of FIG. 4 by reverse movement of thecarriage on the beam 21 by operation of the hydraulic jack l5 and thecycle can then recommence.

g. Operation of the system for correcting the vertical orientation.

In the time during which the mine is buried, the vehicle has moved overthe ground and might well have encountered irregularities of the surfacewhich will have the effect of altering the height of the axle 4 abovethe ground which must not occur. To prevent such an occurrence, the beam21 is pivotally mounted on the chassis about the horizontal axle 22 andits movement is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder 23, the piston ofwhich acts on its free end 27.

When the vehicle goes from the position for transit to that for layingmines, the operator can actuate the hydraulic cylinder which engages thesensing wheel 18 with the ground, The energization of the double-actingcylinder 23 is controlled by the servovalve 24 operated by the pressurein the cylinder 20 which is hydraulically locked in a position whicheffectively determines the depth at which the mines are buried. If, as aconsequence of the movement of the vehicle, the beam 21 tends to rise,the wheel 18 is less firmly supported by the ground so that the pressurein the cylinder 20 decreases and this change affects by means of theservovalve 24 the supply of hydraulic medium to the lesser side of thecylinder 23 which corrects the movement. Similarly, if the beam 21drops, the pressure in the cylinder 20 increases and the inverse actionreestablishes equilibrium. This servosystem thus assures that a constantpredetermined pressure is maintained in the cylinder 20 and therebyvigorously maintains the distance of the carriage above the groundwhatever the movement of the vehicle, this being so not only during minelaying but during the return to action.

According to a modification, the stabilizing system is effected by avertical movement of the rollers with respect to the carriage under.control of the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 20.

What I claim is:

l. Mine-laying equipment for the automatic continuous concealed layingof mines in the ground on the move at high speed, the equipmentcomprising a carrier vehicle, slidably supported on said carrier vehiclea mine-laying carriage, means for immobilizing the carriage with respectto the ground by displacement thereof on the carrier vehicle at avelocity equal and opposite to the velocity of advance of the carriervehicle, a tool carried on the carriage having the fonn of a curvedcasing for introducing mines into the earth, means pivoting the toolabout a horizontal axis on the carriage slidably disposed in said tooland, a pusher having the same curvature as the tool, means pivoting thepusher about said horizontal axis, means for effecting working strokesand return strokes of the tool and including means moving said pusher tothrust mines individually into the ground during the working strokes ofthe tool for maintaining the individual mines in a buried positionduring the return stroke of the tool, a double-acting hydraulic cylindermounted on the carriage, a crank member, means mounting the crank memberfor pivoting by the cylinder about an axis parallel to the pivotal axisof the tool, an arm secured to the tool, connecting arms operablyconnecting the crank member and the arm, an arm secured to the pusher, ashoulder on the pusher arm, and a roller carried by the crank member andengageable with the shoulder for effecting delayed ascent of the pusher.

2. Mine-laying equipment for the automatic continuous concealed layingof mines in the ground on the move at high speed, the equipmentcomprising a carrier vehicle, a mine-laying carriage slidablehorizontally on the carrier vehicle, means for rendering the carriagestationary with respect to the ground by displacement thereof on thecarrier vehicle at a velocity equal and opposite to the velocity ofadvance of the vehicle during a mine-laying operation, a tool carried onthe carriage having the form of a curved casing for introducing minessuccessively into the earth, means pivoting the tool about a horizontalaxis on the carriage, a pusher having the same curvature as the tool,means pivoting the pusher about said horizontal axis, means foreffecting working strokes and return strokes of the tool and includingmeans moving said pusher to thrust mines into the ground during theworking strokes of the tool for maintaining the mine in its buriedposition during the return stroke of the tool, a feeding shutter pivotedat the lower end thereof on the tool, the feeding shutter being nonnallyopen and closable on contact with the ground, and an ejection shutterpivoted at the upper end thereof at the lower end of the tool andoperable to close the chamfered lower opening of the tool engageablewith the ground.

3. Mine-laying equipment for the automatic continuous concealed layingof mines in the ground on the move at high speed, the equipmentcomprising a carrier vehicle, a mine-laying carriage slidably supportedon said carrier vehicle, means for immobilizing the carriage withrespect to the ground by displacement thereof on the carrier vehicle ata velocity equal and opposite to the velocity of advance of the carriervehicle, a tool carried on the carriage having the form of a curvedcasing for introducing mines into the earth, means pivoting the toolabout a horizontal axis on the carriage, a pusher having the samecurvature as the tool, means pivoting the pusher about said horizontalaxis, means for effecting the advance and return of the tool and formaintaining the mine in its buried position during the return of thetool, an arming mechanism, the arming mechanism being mounted at thefree end of the pusher and having means to effect arming of the mineduring burial thereof.

4. Mine-laying equipment for the automatic continuous concealed layingof the mines in the ground on the move at high speed, the equipmentcomprising a carrier vehicle, a

mine-laying carriage slidably supported on said vehicle means forimmobilizing the carriage with respect to the ground by displacementthereof on the carrier vehicle at a velocity equal and opposite to thevelocity of advance of the carrier vehicle during a mine-layingoperation, a tool carried on the carriage having the fonn of a curvedcasing for introducing mines successively into the earth, means pivotingthe tool about a horizontal axis on the carriage, a pusher having thesame curvature as the tool, means pivoting the pusher about saidhorizontal axis, means for effecting working strokes and return strokesof the tool and including means moving said pusher to thrust minesindividually into the ground during the working strokes of the tool formaintaining the individual mines in a buried position during the returnstroke of the tool, a guide track for the carriage, roller means on thecarriage engaging the track, the guide track being along thelongitudinal axis of the carrying vehicle, and means for causingmovement of the carriage along the track during each cycle from thefront to the rear at a speed equal to the speed of advance of thevehicle, then from the rear to the front, and for effecting feeding of amine at the end of said movement.

5. Mine-laying equipment according to claim 4 having stabilizing meansfor stabilizing the orientation of the carriage vertically regardless ofpitching of the vehicle, a sensing wheel, a hydraulic device on thecarriage for applying the sensing wheel to the ground, and meanscontrolling the stabilizing means in dependence on the pressure in thehydraulic device.

6. Mine-laying equipment according to claim 5 having means pivoting theguide track on the vehicle, said stabilizing means comprising adouble-acting hydraulic ram operable to pivot the guide track relativeto the vehicle, and means including a servovalve operable to actuate theram to tilt the track in dependence on the pressure in said hydraulicdevice.

7. Mine-laying equipment according to claim 5 wherein said stabilizingmeans comprises means for adjusting the position vertically of theroller means on the carriage in dependence on the pressure in thehydraulic device.

l l i I! II

1. Mine-laying equipment for the automatic continuous concealed layingof mines in the ground on the move at high speed, the equipmentcomprising a carrier vehicle, slidably supported on said carrier vehiclea mine-laying carriage, means for immobilizing the carriage with respectto the ground by displacement thereof on the carrier vehicle at avelocity equal and opposite to the velocity of advance of the carriervehicle, a tool carried on the carriage having the form of a curvedcasing for introducing mines into the earth, means pivoting the toolabout a horizontal axis on the carriage slidably disposed in said tooland, a pusher having the same curvature as the tool, means pivoting thepusher about said horizontal axis, means for effecting working strokesand return strokes of the tool and including means moving said pusher tothrust mines individually into the ground during the working strokes ofthe tool for maintaining the individual mines in a buried positionduring the return stroke of the tool, a double-acting hydraulic cylindermounted on the carriage, a crank member, means mounting the crank memberfor pivoting by the cylinder about an axis parallel to the pivotal axisof the tool, an arm secured to the tool, connecting arms operablyconnecting the crank member and the arm, an arm secured to the pusher, ashoulder on the pusher arm, and a roller carried by the crank member andengageable with the shoulder for effecting delayed ascent of the pusher.2. Mine-laying equipment for the automatic continuous concealed layingof mines in the ground on the move at high speed, the equipmentcomprising a carrier vehicle, a mine-laying carriage slidablehorizontally on the carrier vehicle, means for rendering the carriagestationary with respect to the ground by displacement thereof on thecarrier vehicle at a velocity equal and opposite to the velocity ofadvance of the vehicle during a mine-laying operation, a tool carried onthe carriage having the form of a curved casing for introducing minessuccessively into the earth, means pivoting the tool about a horizontalaxis on the carriage, a pusher having the same curvature as the tool,means pivoting the pusher about said horizontal axis, means foreffecting working strokes and return strokes of the tool and includingmeans moving said pusher to thrust mines into the ground during theworking strokes of the tool for maintaining the mine in its buriedposition during the return stroke of the tool, a feeding shutter pivotedat the lower end thereof on the tool, the feeding shutter being normallyopen and closable on contact with the ground, and an ejection shutterpivoted at the upper end thereof at the lower end of the tool andoperable to close the chamfered lower opening of the tool engageablewith the ground.
 3. Mine-laying equipment for the automatic continuousconcealed laying of mines in the ground on the move at high speed, theequipment comprising a carrier vehicle, a minE-laying carriage slidablysupported on said carrier vehicle, means for immobilizing the carriagewith respect to the ground by displacement thereof on the carriervehicle at a velocity equal and opposite to the velocity of advance ofthe carrier vehicle, a tool carried on the carriage having the form of acurved casing for introducing mines into the earth, means pivoting thetool about a horizontal axis on the carriage, a pusher having the samecurvature as the tool, means pivoting the pusher about said horizontalaxis, means for effecting the advance and return of the tool and formaintaining the mine in its buried position during the return of thetool, an arming mechanism, the arming mechanism being mounted at thefree end of the pusher and having means to effect arming of the mineduring burial thereof.
 4. Mine-laying equipment for the automaticcontinuous concealed laying of the mines in the ground on the move athigh speed, the equipment comprising a carrier vehicle, a mine-layingcarriage slidably supported on said vehicle, means for immobilizing thecarriage with respect to the ground by displacement thereof on thecarrier vehicle at a velocity equal and opposite to the velocity ofadvance of the carrier vehicle during a mine-laying operation, a toolcarried on the carriage having the form of a curved casing forintroducing mines successively into the earth, means pivoting the toolabout a horizontal axis on the carriage, a pusher having the samecurvature as the tool, means pivoting the pusher about said horizontalaxis, means for effecting working strokes and return strokes of the tooland including means moving said pusher to thrust mines individually intothe ground during the working strokes of the tool for maintaining theindividual mines in a buried position during the return stroke of thetool, a guide track for the carriage, roller means on the carriageengaging the track, the guide track being along the longitudinal axis ofthe carrying vehicle, and means for causing movement of the carriagealong the track during each cycle from the front to the rear at a speedequal to the speed of advance of the vehicle, then from the rear to thefront, and for effecting feeding of a mine at the end of said movement.5. Mine-laying equipment according to claim 4 having stabilizing meansfor stabilizing the orientation of the carriage vertically regardless ofpitching of the vehicle, a sensing wheel, a hydraulic device on thecarriage for applying the sensing wheel to the ground, and meanscontrolling the stabilizing means in dependence on the pressure in thehydraulic device.
 6. Mine-laying equipment according to claim 5 havingmeans pivoting the guide track on the vehicle, said stabilizing meanscomprising a double-acting hydraulic ram operable to pivot the guidetrack relative to the vehicle, and means including a servo-valveoperable to actuate the ram to tilt the track in dependence on thepressure in said hydraulic device.
 7. Mine-laying equipment according toclaim 5 wherein said stabilizing means comprises means for adjusting theposition vertically of the roller means on the carriage in dependence onthe pressure in the hydraulic device.